A Lipidomic Exploration of the Effects of High-Intensity Interval Exercise in Healthy Men after Metformin Intake

We have previously found that high-intensity interval
exercise
(HIIE) affected metformin pharmacokinetics compared with rest. In
this scenario, changes in individual lipids could play an important
role. The prolonged responses of the lipidome to HIIE have not been
explored. This study aimed to explore differences in the plasma lipidomic
profiles between HIIE and rest, both under metformin treatment. Nine
healthy males participated in two sessions where they received 1,000
mg of metformin. In session A, they performed HIIE at an average intensity
of 67% of the maximum heart rate for a total duration of 76 min, whereas
in session B, they rested. Plasma was collected before taking metformin
and during each session (in total, 14 time points spanning 12 h).
Samples were analyzed through lipidomics using mass spectrometry.
We found several variations in the lipid profiles due to HIIE, which
persisted until 4 h post-exercise. Main discriminant lipid classes
were fatty acids, acyl carnitines, glycerophosphocholines, sphingomyelins,
and triacylglycerols. These changes were followed in time up to 12
h, showing the effect of the meals taken during the session. We hypothesize
the changes are a synergic effect of HIIE and metformin in the lipidome,
with the effect of HIIE being the predominant.